About Crabbet Heritage
We are a group of enthusiasts building a resource for everyone interested in these beautiful, versatile Arabain horses, their fascinating and important history and the extraordinary people who followed in the Blunts footsteps. The aim of the project is to keep the history of Crabbet alive and encourage careful breeding and new ownership of Crabbet and related Arabians. We provide a resource to anyone interested in the fascinating history of the Crabbet Arabian Stud.
Crabbet Heritage is a not for profit run by a small Steering Group. They are supported by Patrons - well known figures with significant experience, representing key geographic areas of the Crabbet breeding world (UK, USA, AUS & EUR).
We have an experienced Advisory Panel with a wide range of skills and experience around Crabbet Arabians plus other contributors who help out in the background.
Collectively we are all volunteers working together to help support Crabbet & Crabbet Related horse breeders and enthusiasts around the world. We encourage new interest in the beautiful Crabbet Arabian kept true to the original horses of the desert - untouched by modern breeding and showing methods.
Steering Group
Our Steering Group is based in the UK. We have deliberately kept it small for expediency. We are supported by our Patrons, Advisory Team and others for which we are extremely grateful.
Mark Tindall
Mark retired from his private equity backed construction software company in 2014 following 25 years service, the last 10 serving as CEO. He is relatively new to the world of Crabbet (15 years) and supports Natalie with the Moonlight Arabian Stud in the UK. He has been around horses however, for many years with a particular interest in Behaviour and the many problems often experienced by horses and owners alike! In a 'previous life', having assisted on Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks courses and demonstrations, where he observed the good and not so good points of these and other methods including Parelli and Tellington Touch he jointly developed an Equine Behaviour Course accredited in the UK (to City & Guilds Level 3). He is now very much focused on helping to promote the Crabbet Arabian and preventing historical books and 'treasures' from being lost to future generations. He has a particular interest in the history of Crabbet and the many other studs founded those horses. Mark previously served on the Crabbet Organisation Committee and founded the Crabbet Heritage website in 2017 and co-founded the Crabbet Heritage Magazine, launched in the summer of 2018 to celebrate the Centenary of the AHS and 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Crabbet Arabian stud.
Natalie Tindall
Natalie has had a lifelong love of horses and from the age of 11 knew that her first horse would have to be an Arab when she began to work with a local breeder. When Natalie got her first job at 21 she immediately bought Delvita, a Crabbet mare from the AHS sale and some years later bred her first Crabbet foal by Geoffrey Plaister’s Zarastar, a grandson of Hanif. After working for some years as a primary school teacher and Special Needs Co-ordinator Natalie retrained to do Equine Shiatsu and Tellington Ttouch, both of which she uses to this day in training all her horses. Moonlight Arabians was named after her first Crabbet foal and Natalie has a passion for competing her horses in open competition as well as at affiliated Arab shows to show the wider horse fraternity that Crabbet horses can do anything. Natalie has written throughout her life and has contributed articles to the Crabbet Journal, the AHS news and the Crabbet Heritage magazine. She also wrote sections of the 2013 Worldwide Crabbet Convention book. In her spare time she writes fiction and poetry and enjoys amateur dramatics.
Tanya Betts
Tanya has been around the Crabbet Arabian from an early age, her parents having run a large Crabbet stud, breeding and showing horses many of whom can be seen in pedigrees today. She has a passion for the ridden show horse and is an advocate for the versatility and trainability of the Arabian horse as well their history and breeding. She also has much interest in other things equine, having completed qualifications in equine behaviour and equine bodywork.
Professionally Tanya is a graphic designer amongst several other hats and runs her own freelance business from her home in East Devon. She has over twenty years’ experience as a graphic designer and editor, producing many Arabian horse publications over this time. She has also been involved with the Crabbet Organisation in both starting and producing their Journal and latterly has co-produced the Crabbet Heritage magazine.
Patrons
Caroline Sussex (UK)
I was brought up with Arabian horses at my parents Worth Arabian Stud in Sussex, England which was situated on part of the original Crabbet Arabian Stud. Crabbet seems to be in my blood! I learnt to ride at Crabbet Park Equestrian Centre and after Pony Club years progressed to riding Charlotte Rose (bred at Harwood Stud) in the show ring at age 16. After college, I worked in London and Hong Kong. I spent time travelling and my first trip to the Middle East in 1979 brought the love of the desert. Binley Arabian Stud started in 1993 with first foals being born in 1994. To date I have bred over 40 foals. The latest two colts are a great example of the Crabbet Arabian Horse. I joined the Arab Horse Society Council in 1995 and have been on the Stud Book Committee ever since apart from one year. I became a life member of the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO) in 2000 attending every Conference since. I am now honoured to be part of the Executive Committee as Treasurer. I am also now Chair of The Arab Horse Society UK. I want all Arabians to have the attributes that the original desert horses had and wish Crabbet Heritage every success for the future.
William 'Buzz' Moore (USA)
Bio coming soon
Coralie Gordon (AUS)
Coralie Gordon from Australia has been a breeder of Crabbet Arabians for 50 years and has a wealth of experience in the history of the breed.
She is an author, writer, researcher and teacher and has written important reference works including ‘The Crabbet Arabian Imports to Australia’ and ‘The Crabbet Silver Family in Australia’. Coralie was co-Publisher of the magazine "Australia's Crabbet Arabian Horse" for 20 years. She is a life Member and Past Chairman of the Arabian Horse Society of Australia and has been a National Panel Arabian Judge for 32 years.
We are very grateful that Coralie is bringing her vast knowledge and experience to bear on our many projects here at Crabbet Heritage.
Betty Finke (EUR)
Today’s focus on one type and specific bloodlines – both in the show ring and in the breeding barns – make the work of preservation breeders all the more vital for the survival of the Arabian breed. If not for them, we will run the danger of eventually ending up with a population of intensely inbred horses with extremely dished heads and unrideable conformation on matchstick legs. Precious bloodlines are in danger of being lost and once they are gone, there is no getting them back. For me, preservation breeders – whether they focus on Crabbet, CMK, old Polish, or any other unfashionable gene pool, and to some extent straight Egyptian breeders as well – are the true breeders and guardians of the wonderful, diverse heritage of the Arabian horse. As a writer, I try to keep the perspective focused on the Arabian’s rich history and the characteristics that made it the horse which, once upon a time, was used to upgrade all other horse breeds. I feel that knowledge of the past is the foundation of the future. With this in mind, I try to keep alive and pass on those things which, with all the attention focused today on short-lived show ring success, are in danger of being forgotten.
Our Advisory Panel
Our advisory panel give their time freely to help with the Crabbet Heritage project. They bring a wealth of expertise and experience and we are extremely grateful for their help. We also have contributors in the background to whom we are also very grateful.
Caroline Johnson
(UK)
I was a typical horse-mad little girl, but it was my parent’s gift of Marguerite Henry’s book ‘King of the Wind, the Story of the Godolphin Arabian’ on my 10th birthday that triggered my love of Arabian horses. I attended my first Arab Horse Society show in 1968 when it was held at Kempton Park and as I’d always enjoyed drawing and painting, I left school to work and study equine anatomy with Pamela H du Boulay, the noted sculptress who used to exhibit her lovely bronzes at the Arab Horse Society Shows during the 1970s and 80s. I purchased my first pure-bred Arabian, a son of General Grant, in 1977 and have a keen interest in Crabbet bloodlines. Over the years I’ve photographed many Arabians as a hobby entering all their details onto a database and I’m looking forward to sharing some of these images and contributing to Crabbet Heritage.
Katherine Bertram
(UK)
Katherine has been involved with Crabbet Arabians since she can remember, starting with her mother’s purchase of the Crabbet stallion Marcus Aurelius from Diana Whittome in 2002. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, Katherine enjoyed success with Marcus in multiple disciplines, from endurance to eventing and showjumping to showing. This success has been extended to his offspring, both pure and part-bred, and has seen Katherine receive recognition at the top of grassroots competition with British Riding Clubs. Although busy with work and other commitments, Katherine still works towards her goals – albeit at a more realistic pace than as a student.
Rebecca Donovan
(NZ)
My draw to the Arabian always went a little deeper than their sheer beauty. I was always drawn to the phenomenal versatility and temperament of the breed. My passion is promoting the Arabian breed through my large social media following. I balance this between my work in the Thoroughbred breeding industry and I hope to use this to help me establish my own breeding program in the near future.
My Introduction came in the form of a full-size Anglo Arabian pony at the age of 5, followed by an Arab x Riding pony who competed in Open Medium dressage with National and international success. I was introduced to the sport of endurance after 3 years out of the saddle, shortly after purchasing my first high-percentage Crabbet Arabian and completing my first 80 km endurance ride on him! I have since fallen back in love with riding, all because I have fallen in love with the breed. I purchased my first purebred Crabbet mare from the same stud as my gelding, Makahiwi Arabians. My future goal is to help grow and introduce new Crabbet blood in New Zealand through breeding and promotion! Catch us online and out competing in everything from endurance and dressage to showing and cowboy challenge!
Virginia Dean
(NZ)
My life revolves around Arabian horses! Riding, showing, painting, researching and writing articles, breeding, and judging. This passion all stems from my first horse, a partbred gelding with mainly Crabbet lines. He was followed by a purebred mare from whom I bred a filly, and in due course, both were sold in Australia. In the early days of researching pedigrees – when there was no such thing as the internet – I corresponded with Cecil Covey and Dora MacLean, letters which I treasure! I have a small stud, Anazeh Arabians, with a 92.8% Crabbet stallion and a handful of high percentage Crabbet mares. In between my busy judging schedule, I like to show my own horses and have enjoyed great success with them but most of all, I love their endearing temperaments. I have made some wonderful friends around the world through Arabian horses and I am thrilled to be a part of the Crabbet Heritage Panel – looking forward to promoting the Crabbet Arabian horse and assisting wherever I can!
Wesley Hayes
(SA)
Born and raised on the family farm in South Africa I became obsessed with Crabbet Arabian horses from an early age. I own the Olford Arab Stud, founded by Betty Arnold in 1948 and run approximately 50 pure Crabbet mares and stallions. I am determined in preserving the Crabbet lines for future generations
Chris Ros
(AUS)
Unlike most people I was not drawn to the head of the Arab horse but to their lovely high tail carriage. Rossfennick imp (Indian Magic x Rosinella imp) was the first live Arab I ever saw. Sunny Dancer, a chestnut ¾ Arab mare was my first registered Arab, her sire was Zenith (Zarafa x Nasirieh (imp)) from a mare by Zeroud by Raseel (imp) x Zem-Zem (by Fakreddin (imp) from Saade). My two Tom Quilty horses were both by Star Diamond (imp). I have held all committee positions on the Western Australian Arabian Horse Assoc, was elected to the Board of the Australian Arab Horse society and awarded a Life Membership of that Society. I was the instigator of both Erong and Ros Arab Studs, hold awards from both the Australian and the West Australian Endurance riders, written many articles for magazines accompanied by photos mostly taken by myself and finally published the book “The Impact of Arabian Horses on Australia since 1788”.
Fiona Leng
(UK)
Bio coming soon
Pat Bobb
(USA)
Professionally, I worked for 28 years for the corporation, which is now Verizon. I held a number of managerial positions in information systems including production line operations, strategic planning, technical support and financial management. My husband, John, and I were Charter Members of ECAHS. I have attended almost every ECAHS Board of Directors Meeting and Celebration since the inception of the organization. I have served as Past President on the Board of Directors from 2005 through 2006, and as either Vice-President or a Director from 2007 through the present. I am also a member of the Certification Committee, and the Archive Committee, and served as Newsletter Editor for two years
I believe deeply in the importance of using and preserving the bloodlines of the horses that I admired so in my childhood and in the restoration of the reputation of the Arabian as the ultimate riding horse, athlete, and family companion. In addition to my passion for the horses, I believe I have other characteristics that will make me an effective member of the Crabbet Heritage Advisory Panel.
Sharon Meyers
(AUS)
In her earlier years Sharon participated in a wide range of equestrian pursuits from barrel racing, show jumping, flat racing, eventing, endurance riding to showing in-hand and under saddle. She purchased her first Arabian horses in 1978. Sharon also has an immense interest in the history of the Arabian breed and enjoys equine photography as well as writing about Arabians. She edited the Australian Arabian Horse News for a total of 17 years along with several other magazines including the Arabian Horse Express, Arabian Studs & Stallions, Endurance: Beginner to Advanced plus the two books The Arabian Horse in Australia VII and Hoofprints in History - Australasia’s Arabian Horses. Sharon was awarded an honorary Life Membership of the Australian Arabian Horse Society in 2014 for her contribution to the Arabian breed in Australia in the fields of history and promotion. Although she no longer owns horses, Sharon is still keenly interested in the Arabian breed, community and Arabian horse orientated events in Australia and internationally.
Dawn Jones Lowe
(USA)
Bio coming soon
Carolyn Hasbrook
(USA)
Bio coming soon
Gail Rooney
(AUS)
I acquired my first Arabian in 1974.My beloved grandmother had given me some money towards a carpet for my then new house. She laughed when I told her I had purchased an Arabian carpet and so began the passion for all things Crabbet. My late husband Mick was my partner in crime in our Danjera Stud and the horses did their own talking in all facets of Arabian performance at the highest levels. I continue our dream to this day to honour him and our wonderful horses of Crabbet Heritage.
Anne Brown
(UK)
Anne Brown established Gadebrook Arabian Stud in 1969 and has devoted much of her life to breeding top class Crabbet performance horses. She supports their riders around the world and has welcomed hundreds of visitors to Gadebrook.
As a former President of the Arab Horse Society, Council member, organiser of the Society’s Centenary events and long-time Chairman of the Premium Performance Scheme, Anne’s commitment to the cause is total. She initiated and ran the Crabbet Show at Equifest for many years, enters youngsters for the Futurity Evaluations, attends WAHO conventions abroad, and reports on many equine breeding seminars and vet conferences.
Astra Temple
(AUS)
Bio coming soon
Alexia Ross
(UK)
Bio coming soon
Linda Cottle
(NZ)
I purchased my very first purebred filly Turkish Delight (Waimeha Marendo x Odwain) in 1975 although I did have an Anglo Arab mare before that.
I was very excited to be able to own such a pretty filly and had decided to show her in hand and breed from her to start my ‘Delight Arab Horse Stud’.
We went on to expand the stud with two gorgeous mares bred at the well known Ngapa Stud and also purchased the beautiful young stallion Ngapa Joussif (Grey Swirl by Electric Silver x Ngapa Maid) who proved to be a top show, performance and endurance sire who gained the WAHO Trophy in 2006 due to his very successful progeny in many equine disciplines especially Endurance.
Over the years we have bred many very nice athletic quality Arabians which have gone on to do very well with their owners.
Becky Ross
(UK)
Bio coming soon
Sean Johnson
(AUS)
Bio coming soon
Vicki Johnson
(AUS)
Vicki Johnson owns the famous Fenwick Stud in Victoria Australia. Her Grandmother, Dora Maclean imported several quality horses direct from Lady Wentworth in the early part of the last century and founded a Crabbet dynasty that survives to this day. She continues to run the stud, breeding quality Crabbet Arabian horses alongside pedigree Shetland ponies just as her Grandmother did. Vicki has a great interest in the history of Crabbet and that of her own family. She is a keen photographer, is the secretary of her local photography club and attends the occasional festival/workshop/convention. She enters a lot of competitions both in Australia and around the world. Vicki has been supportive of Crabbet Heritage since its inception and looking forward to contributing to our ongoing archives project.